The Government of Canada invests in infrastructure in Guelph to improve ventilation and local trails

May 24, 2023

News release

For immediate release

The Government of Canada invests in infrastructure in Guelph to improve ventilation and local trails

Through this investment, the West End Community Centre, one of Guelph’s largest community centres, will modernize their HVAC system. This work will improve the facility’s ventilation, improving air quality for the benefits of all users. Once complete, these enhancements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 54.6% and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 740 tonnes annually.

This investment will also support the development of a wayfinding strategy for Guelph’s trails and active transportation network. This project will help to create a more consistent and continuous wayfinding system that will help residents and visitors navigate Guelph’s trails, sidewalks and paths safely and efficiently.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

“Investing in infrastructure contributes towards long-term economic growth, supports stronger communities, and facilitates Canada’s transition to a net-zero emissions. Today’s investments in Guelph’s West End Community Centre and trails and active transportation network wayfinding strategy will support a more resilient and sustainable community for residents to enjoy for years to come.”

Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“This investment will help implement two initiatives that support Guelph’s Race to Zero goal to become a net zero carbon community by 2050 and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”

His Worship Cam Guthrie, Mayor of the City of Guelph

Quick facts

For the West End Community Centre project, the Government of Canada is investing more than $1.6 million through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. The City of Guelph is contributing $477,798.
For the wayfinding project, the Government of Canada is investing $50,000 through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF).

The GICB program aims to improve the places Canadians work, learn, play, live and gather by cutting pollution, making life more affordable, and supporting thousands of good jobs. Through green and other upgrades to existing public community buildings and new builds in underserved communities, the GICB program helps ensure community facilities are inclusive, accessible, and have a long service life, while also helping Canada move towards its net-zero objectives by 2050.
The GICB program was created in support of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, supporting the Plan’s first pillar through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the increase of energy efficiency, and higher resilience to climate change. It is providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades.
Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity, and includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes and cross-country skis, and more.
The Active Transportation Fund is providing $400 million over five years to make travel by active transportation easier, safer, more convenient and more enjoyable, in support of Canada's first National Active Transportation Strategy.
Applications for planning and capital projects from eligible Indigenous recipients are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Municipal governments, local and regional governments such as service districts, and Indigenous organizations are eligible recipients. Provinces, territories, and not-for-profit organizations are also eligible in specific circumstances.
The Active Transportation Fund complements Canada’s strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. The plan commits the federal government to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation options available in every community.
Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy is the country's first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. The strategy’s aim is to make data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks and to create safe environments for more equitable, healthy, active and sustainable travel options to thrive.
Active transportation infrastructure provides many tangible benefits, creating good middle-class jobs, growing the economy, promoting healthier lifestyles, advancing equity amongst vulnerable Canadians, cutting air and noise pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in safer active transportation infrastructure is key to ensuring people of all ages and abilities can access jobs and services and connect with their communities.
The Government of Canada is investing $14.9 billion over the next eight years in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes $3 billion per year in permanent, predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27.
Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested over $24.8 billion in transit projects across the country, providing Canadians with cleaner and more efficient commuting options.
For more information, please visit the Infrastructure Canada website.